All four gospels mention Joseph of Arimathea. Here are several facts about him:
Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, that governed the religious matters of the Jewish people in coordination with the Roman governor.[i] He was originally from a Jewish town called Arimathea.[ii] However, being a member of the Sanhedrin, his residence was in Jerusalem. This was also on account of being a rich man who provided for the tomb for Jesus in Jerusalem.[iii]
He was also a secret disciple of Jesus.[iv] He was looking for the kingdom of God.[v] Luke describes him as a good and righteous man.[vi] Luke also adds that he did not consent to the decision of the council concerning Jesus.[vii] Darrell L. Bock states that based on this, Joseph rejected the council’s deal with Judas, final council’s verdict, and sending Jesus to Pilate.[viii] This means several things: First, Joseph was aware of the council’s decision against Jesus and his sending to Pilate. Second, Joseph rejected this decision. Third, This does not mean he had to attend the council. It is probable that the Chief Priest did not include those who were not fully with his plot. It is easy to see how in the political play of Jerusalem, high ranking members have insight knowledge. Fourth, Joseph refused to go to deliver Jesus to Pilate. This probably applies not just to him but others as well.
The text states more about him: he was a ranking member of the Sanhedrin.[ix] In other words, he was not only a member, but a respected member. Several commentators astutely noted that Joseph probably used his rank in the Sanhedrin and his status to get access to Pilate. In other words, Pilate knew him as he probably knew all of the ranking members of the Sanhedrin members. It is important to note that the chief priests were puppets in the hands of the Roman authority. The Romans picked them in the first placed. It is more probable that the absence of ranking members during Jesus trial was noted by Pilate as a form of subtle objection. Matthew is subtle in remarking that Pilate ordered the body be given to Joseph. On this, D.A. Carson states:
That Pilate acceded to the request probably reflects the governor’s conviction that Jesus was not really guilty, and may have been a final snub against the Jewish authorities.[x]
Moreover, Joseph was not the only Jewish leader who believed in Jesus, the Gospel of John also adds Nicodemus with him.[xi] It is likely that these two were representing a group of leaders who believed in Jesus. Their cooperation also suggests that they knew each other in the council.
The fact that Joseph of Arimathea was mentioned by all the four gospels suggests the following: The writers of the gospels wanted to emphasize that some of the Jewish leaders believed in Jesus. It is easy to forget that these accounts were written by Jewish apostles about the Jewish Messiah. The story of the cross is about a broken world, in which all sinned, and yet many, both Jews and Gentiles, believed in Jesus as the Messiah. [xii]
[i] Mark 15:43
[ii] Luke 23:50
[iii] Matthew 27:57
[iv] John 19:38
[v] Mark 15:43
[vi] Luke 23:50
[vii] Luke 23:51
[viii] Darrell Bock, “Luke”, BECNT, Volume 2, p. 1873.
[ix] Mark 15:43
[x] D.A. Carson, “The Gospel According to John”, EBC-R, p 629.
[xi] John 19:39
[xii] John 1:12
By Daniel Amari
Copyright © 2021, by Daniel Amari.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used bypermission. All rights reserved.